.png){kind=logo}
WARBURTON VALLEY
BUSINESS AND TRADERS GROUP
Acerca de
WARBURTON VALLEY CEDA
COMMUNITY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ASSOCIATION
Warburton Valley CEDA (Community Economic Development Association) Inc, formerly Warburton & District Chamber of Commerce & Industry, is a not-for-profit organisation run by volunteers focused on the economic interests of the communities in the Warburton Valley.
The region represents a 60-kilometre journey from Lilydale to the Upper Yarra Dam and includes towns such as Wandin, Seville, Woori Yallock, Launching Place, Yarra Junction, Warburton and surrounds.
WVCEDA primary purpose is to advocate on behalf of its financial members. We currently represent more than 100 local businesses, traders and stakeholders in the Upper Yarra Valley.
OUR PURPOSE
'To engage and support our members to leverage their collective strengths to create a vibrant business community.'
COMMUNITY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
Community Economic Development (CED) encourages enterprise, using local resources in a way that enhances economic opportunities while improving social conditions in a sustainable way.
CED takes into account social, environmental, and economic outcomes and recognises the links between the local, regional and national layers of the economy. Using a CED approach will enable us to build on the knowledge, experience and resources in our community, to identify and make the most of local economic opportunities.
OUR CHARTER
-
To provide a unified voice for Warburton Valley.
-
To help secure regional funding.
-
To unite members, businesses and community-based organisations along the Warburton Highway & surrounds to foster a sense of collaboration and self-reliance that is sustainable and supports thriving local economies.
-
To advocate to any appropriate authority and facilitate community involvement in the continued development, maintenance and use of the Lilydale to Warburton Rail Trail.
-
To enhance the tourism and economic potential of the region.
OUR KEY ACTIVITIES
-
Ongoing engagement with major stakeholders including Yarra Ranges Council, Parks Victoria, DELPW (Department of Environment, Land, Parks and Waterways), AUSNET and VicRoads.
-
Ongoing engagement with local stakeholders including Upper Yarra Community Enterprise (UYCE), Warburton Advancement League (WAL), Yarra Ranges Enterprise Centres (YREC) and Yarra River Reserve Committee of Management.
-
Active engagement with all major event organisers to make sure our region gets the best possible outcome from events organised in our backyard.
-
Quarterly Business Forums providing our members with great opportunities for networking and business development via learning from a variety of guest speakers and fellow business members.
-
Promotion of ‘business-to-business’ trading via ‘familiarisation visits’ to member businesses.
-
Engagement in ‘shop local’ campaigns for promotion of our local retailers.
-
Ongoing commitment to support the Warburton Waterwheel Visitor Information Centre by the means of financial and operational assistance (including two permanent board positions).
-
Provision of business information and advice via social media, regular newsletters and services of WV CEDA Business Engagement Officer.
-
Promotion of our member businesses via social media, newsletters and listings on this website.
OUR KEY ACHIEVEMENTS
-
Acknowledgement at Local, State and Federal government levels as an effective and collective voice representing the region.
-
Productive and supportive working relationships with Yarra Ranges Council and Yarra Ranges Tourism.
-
Multi-million dollar investment commitments from political parties for significant regional development projects.
-
Increased awareness of Warburton Valley CEDA’s mission and activities among traders and business operators throughout the Warburton Valley.
-
As a result of Warburton Valley CEDA’s advocacy Warburton Valley is fast becoming a key destination for recreational tourism including the Warburton Mountain Bike Hub.
-
Successful lobbying for action from Council on several matters of concern to traders.
-
Employment of a dedicated Business Engagement Officer whose role is to look after communication and provide members with support and advice.
-
A new website for Warburton Valley businesses and community
MEET OUR TEAM
Louise Hogan
Committee Member
Louise Hogan is Managing Director at ZRG Partners, a talent advisory firm, where she leads the Health practice in the Asia Pacific.
She also leads the People and Legal officers practices and co-leads the Board practice in Australia.
With over 30 years of experience in strategy and commercial roles, she brings deep expertise in leadership, talent strategy, and governance to the committee.
Louise relocated to Warburton with her partner in 2022 and is passionate about contributing to the community's vibrancy and resilience.
She serves as a Non-Executive Director at Upper Yarra Community Enterprise (Bendigo Bank) and the Ausbiotech Victoria Committee.
Her qualifications include a B.Sc. and an MBA. She is a graduate of the AICD Company Directors Course, and she is currently completing a Master of Laws.
Harvey Bowlt
Committtee Member
Harvey Bowlt is the principal director of Bowlt Commercial Lawyers and an Accredited Specialist in Commercial Law , appointed by the Law Institute of Victoria. His firm specialises in proactively helping businesses manage legal risk through a range of commercial law services and has an emphasis on being accessible and responsive to clients’ specific needs and providing personalised, commercially practical legal advice and agreements. The firm has a broad range of clients from start-ups to companies with multi-million-dollar turnovers.
Harvey practised law in South Africa for 20 years before moving to Australia in 2004 and is a member of a number of organisations and networking groups. Although his main office is in Ringwood, he has lived on acreage in East Warburton on the slopes of Mount Victoria since 2019, loves the area and outdoor lifestyle and is keen to get more involved with promoting local businesses.
Christine Birch
Acting VP
Dale Feim
Treasurer
Dale is the founder and director of Dalcorp Accounting Services, a progressing accounting firm recognised for its modern cloud accounting approach. Dale is a Fellow Member with the Institute of Public Accountants and has been in Public Practice now for 20 years. He holds a Bachelor of Commerce, Diploma of Financial Planning and is a Registered Tax Practitioner.
Since establishing his practice, Dale quickly became recognised for his expertise and core specialisation in the Tourism & Agribusiness sectors. As a Yarra Valley resident of more than 40 years, Dale has a genuine passion for promoting our region and providing support to the many small businesses operating within it.
Paul Larkin
Committee Member
Paul Larkin is Director of 700 Leadership Advisory. A former lawyer with extensive experience in professional sport, Paul retrained, completing a Masters of Applied Psychology, and now engages with leaders in high risk industries to support performance and outcomes under pressure.
Paul and his family live in Wesburn and are committed to supporting and contributing to the Yarra Ranges community. Paul is also an avid mountain biker and Vice-President of the Yarra Ranges Mountain Bike Club.
Lindy Schneider
Committee Member
Lindy is a professional writer, communications consultant, writing coach and equine therapist. She has a thriving client base in the Yarra Valley and internationally.
A published author, Lindy is a regular contributor to the Yarra Magazine, and has writing expertise in tourism, health and wellbeing, community building and the arts. Her qualifications include: Grad Dip Arts (Writing), BComm (Marketing, Management), Dip Professional Writing and Editing, Dip Counselling, Dip Art Therapy.
Lindy is a member of the YREC community, and she has been involved with CEDA since 2014. She is a dynamic participant in community life and has lived and worked in the Upper Yarra Valley since 2001.
Christine Birch and her family have owned and operated the iconic Oscar’s on the Yarra in Warburton since 2016. Christine brings a wealth of experience in venue management, conference planning, food and beverage and is committed to delivering genuine hospitality to all guests. Her family business is a Warburton landmark, offering accommodation, dining and events, and is located on the banks of the picturesque Yarra River.
She is an integral part of the local business and visitor economy, and a valued member of the community. She has been a CEDA committee member for 3 years and has served in the role of Secretary.
Anna Tehan
Acting President
Anna Tehan worked at a Technology consulting company for more than 20 years as a Business Operations Senior Manager. She brings experience in project management, planning, operations, stakeholder management and business strategy. Anna is passionate member of the community with two active and energetic children, and she has lived on a farm in the Yarra Valley for 13 years. She enjoys bike riding, wine and the outdoors.
Her qualifications include a Bachelor of Engineering and a Bachelor of Commerce.
Danielle Warham
Committee Member
Danielle Warham has been working with her brother, Joel at Cog Bikes Australia since 2019. Cog proudly now has four locations including Cog Bikes and Brew in Warburton, a shop front in Monbulk, and a permanent hire location at both Carriage Cafe Seville and Puffing Billy Station at Emerald Lakeside. She lives in Ferntree Gully with her partner and two children.
Sue Clarke
Committee Member
Sue Clarke is the owner and founder of The Yarra Valley Accountant, located in Woori Yallock.
She has over 30 years in the industry and brings a wealth of knowledge and insight to her role. This experience has given her the ability to handle a wide variety of accounting and taxation issues, making her a trusted advisor in her field.
Sue is passionate about working with local businesses and there is not much that she has not seen or heard.
She welcomes the opportunity to become a member of Warburton Valley CEDA Committee.